Composition for the treatment of furs



Patented Nov. 11, 1941 COIVIPOSITION FOR THE TREATMENT OF FURS Francis X. Kelly, New York, N. Y., assignor of one-half to Carl Rasch, New York, N. Y.

No Drawing. Application July 22, 1939, Serial No. 285,855

2 Claims.

This invention relates to furs and more particularly to a composition for treating the same and method of using said composition.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a composition and method for softening and lubricating furs. A more specific object is to revitalize fur which has begun to dry and stiffen either through age or misuse. It is well known that old fur coats and furs begin to dry and stiffen, and therefore split and cannot be sewed or repaired with satisfaction. Sometimes the fur is prematurely aged and spoiled, as when it is exposed to heat instead of being kept in cool storage.

The primary object of the present invention is to overcome the foregoing difliculties and to provide a composition and method for softening and lubricating fur, with a view to greatly lengthening its useful life.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other more detailed objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the composition and method of using the same, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims.

The composition comprises essentially a solution or blend of lanolin in a volatile hydrocarbon solvent. The solvent is preferably benzine, but hexane may also be used. I prefer to add a small quantity of cedar wood oil, which acts as a lubricant and germicidal agent, and provides as one instance, a useful amount of moth-proofing effect.

The lanolin acts as a softening and lubricating oil which is absorbed into the leather or the pelt or back side of the fur. The benzine acts as a solvent for the lanolin and a thinner so as to facilitate spreading of a thin film of lanolin over the surface of the skin. As used on fur, it is not a cleaning agent, for it should be kept in mind that it is being applied to the reverse side of the fur and not to the hair side.

For use on fur I recommend a composition made up of 25% lanolin, 5% cedar wood oil, and 70% benzine, these percentages being by volume. The benzine is preferably warmed as the lanolin is added in order to help dissolve the lanolin. The cedar wood oil may be added at any convenient time. The result is a yellowish, cloudy liquid which is thin enough to be used in a spray gun. The lanolin has a slight tendency to rise, and therefore the composition should be shaken to aid penetration of the oils into the skin, and to avoid any tendency toward waxiness on the surface of the skin. If the pelts are quite dry, it may be necessary to apply the composition several times. In such case, the pelts should be allowed to rest between successive applications, say, for twenty-four hours, in order to provide time for the oils of the first application to be absorbed into the pelt before the next application is made.

In the case of furs which have already been made up into a garment, it is first necessary to remove the lining. The garment is then sprayed on the inside much as in the case of pelts. After the treatment has been finished, the lining, if in good condition, may be replaced, or more usually, because of the age of the garment, a new lining will be used.

The proportion of lanolin may vary from the recommended 25%. I prefer to keep the proportion between 20% and 35%.because if reduced below 20%, the composition may be too weak for practical use and too many applications of the composition may be required. If the lanolin is increased above 35%, the liquid becomes too heavy and sticky to handle with ease,,particularly for use in a spray gun.

The quantity of cedar wood oil may be varied. It may be reduced or entirely omitted, or it may be substantially increased, say, up to 10%. I would not recommend any further increase because at or above 10%, the odor will become too pronounced and heavy.

It is believed that the nature of my improved composition and the method of making and using the same, as well as the many advantages thereof, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed description. It will also be apparent that while I have shown and described my invention in a preferred form, many changes and modifications may be made, without departing from the spirit of the invention as sought to be defined in carbon solvent and thinner selected from a group before being used, if it has been standing a long time.

In dealing with pelts which have not yet been made up into garments, it is simply necessary to spray the reverse or leather side of the pelts with the aid of an ordinary spray gun. This operation is preferably carried out in a. warm room in order cent cedar wood oil, and seventy per cent of a volatile hydrocarbon solvent and thinner selected from a group consisting of benzine and hexane.

FRANCIS K. KELLY. 

